Hampton community rallies behind 15-year-old Rosie

HAMPTON — Dozens of community members and business leaders packed a downtown restaurant this week to help a local girl who "only cares about everybody else" even though she's "been through so much."

Kyle Stucker

HAMPTON — Dozens of community members and business leaders packed a downtown restaurant this week to help a local girl who "only cares about everybody else" even though she's "been through so much."

That's how Sean Correll, owner of the recently closed Bella Rose pizzeria in North Hampton, described his 15-year-old daughter Rosie, who was the recipient of immeasurable generosity during a special fund-raiser at Hagan's Grill on Tuesday.

Friends and neighbors have been helping Correll raise thousands so he and his daughter can fly out to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota next week to finally get some answers about Rosie's undiagnosed neuromuscular disorder, which Correll said led doctors to recommend just after Rosie's birth that she be placed in a nursing home.

"She's overcome everything," said Correll, who had tears in his eyes Tuesday while reflecting on the community's help with fund-raising. "Our philosophy has always been that she's such an amazing kid that if this is what it is, we're OK with it. To have a chance at a diagnosis is staggering."

Correll believes Rosie — who they didn't put in a nursing home — suffers from at least one of a variety of congenital myasthenic syndromes, which affect nerves and muscle cells, causing weakness, fatigue and other issues.

A neurologist suggested two months ago that a CMS may be the cause of a slew of medical issues Rosie has faced. Correll said this was the first time a possible diagnosis had been proposed despite endless batteries of tests over the course of Rosie's entire life.

Rosie couldn't breathe when she was born, couldn't crawl because she had clubbed feet, and needed a tracheotomy until the age of 13 because she couldn't swallow. Those are just some of the difficult hurdles she's faced and successfully defeated, and the Corrells now have their sights set on pinpointing a treatment plan at the Mayo Clinic, which Correll said is the only facility in the country that can diagnose CMS.

"It's huge, but we're going to take it in stride," said Correll, acknowledging a possibility that the trip to Minnesota may not provide all of the answers they seek. "She's such a high-spirited kid. It's amazing to see where and how she's grown. The most amazing thing is she doesn't let anything get her down."

Dozens in the Seacoast restaurant community have pitched in to help Rosie.

Hagan's Grill owner Dora Hand said it's "amazing how the community has come together to help out in so many ways." She said she and others have gotten involved "because we really just care about Sean and Rosie a lot."

Kim Wood, a Stratham resident and the mother of Rosie's best friend, said she helped spearhead Tuesday's fund-raiser because it's "imperative to have a diagnosis."

"They're wonderful people," said Wood. "I was willing to do anything I could do to help ease the trip."

Correll doesn't "really like being the center of attention," although he said he was "floored" by the "absolutely overwhelming" support Tuesday.

Correll also said he's "honored" his daughter has inspired others because he's seen firsthand through his heavy involvement in the Molly Fund and other local charity efforts just what can happen when Hampton rallies around one of its own.

"It really says something about Hampton," said Correll. "This town supports locals like I've never seen anywhere else."

Rosie's illness wasn't the deciding factor in Correll's decision to close Bella Rose in March, according to Correll. It was because the restaurant had been "limping along" for some time, although Correll said his desire to "spend more time" with his daughter and "not work as hard" did contribute to his decision.

Correll said he may open another restaurant, but "not alone" because he said running the business, marketing and food sides of a restaurant are "too much for one person" in today's world.

The Bella Rose storefront, which had been open for eight years, was sold at auction earlier this month.

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